Six Characters looking for and author ****

Am I alone in thinking that the choice of plays this year has been terrible? Repeat after repeat of the same play or theme. Plays with themes likely to appeal to 1% of the population. Imagine my joy to come across ‘Six characters looking for an author’ skilfully directed by Rick Brayford. Melinda Henderson and Carol Tee’s costumes are unique and match the characters beautifully. Rachel Appino’s set, effectively the whole theatre – whilst simple – has a couple of brilliant lateral thinking ideas and the whole effect set off by Mathew Marshall’s lighting.

The story is completely different and has enough enigmas to keep you interested without frustration. The play within a play has six superb actors, led by Warren Herbu as the nasty, dominating father. His pathetic wife (Andrea Gibbs) immediately connects with the audience, with her two pitiable children clinging wretchedly to her skirt. Even though the children (Andrea Demetriades and Steven Joseph Smith-Ince) had no lines to say, their expressionless faces and portrayal of total hopeless stays with you long after the show.

Crispian Chan, who along with Andrea Gibbs are famous for their comedy portrayals, takes on the serious role of Director most competently. The Director tries to come to balanced decisions with problems being thrown at him by the Stage Manager – Jane Pyper – and the Stepdaughter played on the Friday night by Gillian Alexy.

The live, creepy music and the haunting singing by cellist Melanie Robinson is perfectly mixed and presented in ‘stereo’. Many congratulations to all concerned for show to remember.